Remember the excitement of your first car? Mine was my dad’s old car, a hand-me-down, but that didn’t bother me at all. What mattered was the fun of going on road trips with friends and being the one with wheels. It represented freedom.
But owning a car comes with responsibilities. After you’ve bought your car and paid the necessary taxes, the next step is to make sure it’s properly insured. Insurance isn’t just for your safety and the safety of your car; it also protects other drivers on the road if something unexpected happens.
It’s also essential to find ways to save on your family car insurance without sacrificing quality. Keep in mind that with insurance, the value you get relates to what you pay. Here are my top five tips to help you save money on car insurance so you can enjoy your car without any worries.
**Drive Carefully**
Driving is a skill anyone can learn, unlike things like writing or drawing. It’s crucial to be careful and competent when you’re behind the wheel. You’re driving a heavy, moving machine, and any penalties on your driving record can make getting insured more complicated or expensive. So, always follow traffic rules, respect other drivers, and stay safe.
**Search for Online Discounts**
This is a tip I really like, yet not many people know about it. If you’ve ever used discount sites like Groupon, you’ll understand. Insurance companies often give big discounts for signing up online because it’s cheaper for them. More and more insurance companies are using online platforms to promote their services, knowing the internet is where the action is these days.
**Think Before You Make a Claim**
Deciding whether to file a claim can be tricky. My advice is to avoid filing claims for minor issues that you can fix cheaply. Insurance companies will likely increase your premium if they see many claims on your record. Constantly making claims won’t help you save money. On the other hand, avoiding minor claims can get you a no-claims discount (NCD), which can reduce your premium by up to 50% if you don’t file a claim for five years straight.
**Choose the Right Car**
When I bought my first car, I did weeks of research. I looked at crash test results, fuel efficiency, driving comfort, and more. I read countless car reviews to find the perfect car for me. Insurance companies categorize cars based on things like engine size and repair costs, which affects premiums. So, always check the insurance rating of a car before you buy it.
**Keep Your Car Safe**
I named my car Eleanor, and I always make sure she’s safe. I choose the safest parking spots and installed a top-notch security system that disables the engine if someone tries to start it with an unauthorized key. Eleanor also has GPS tracking, and if the alarm goes off, I get a text message. It’s important to clear any additional security features with your insurance company before installing them.